Volume 1: The Impossible Dream
Monday morning arrived with clear blue skies over San Isidro.
The excitement from Saturday's victory hadn't faded.
If anything...
It had only grown stronger.
As Kai walked through the school gate with his backpack over one shoulder...
He immediately noticed something different.
Students kept glancing in his direction.
Some smiled.
Others whispered to their friends.
"There he is."
"Number Eleven."
"The guy who scored against Holy Cross."
Kai scratched the back of his head.
"...This is embarrassing."
Before he could reach the classroom...
A loud voice echoed down the hallway.
"KAI!"
Miguel jogged over with Rafael beside him.
Rafael laughed.
"Looks like you're famous now."
Kai sighed.
"I hope this dies down soon."
Miguel grinned.
"Not happening."
"You scored the winning goal."
"Everyone saw it."
Kai smiled helplessly.
"I only finished the chance."
Miguel shook his head.
"You also ran almost the entire match."
"You earned it."
The three entered their classroom together.
The moment Kai stepped inside...
Several classmates began clapping.
"Congratulations!"
"Great match!"
"You were amazing!"
Kai froze for a second.
Then he gave an awkward smile.
"Thank you..."
"It was a team effort."
One of the boys laughed.
"Still humble."
"No wonder Coach likes you."
Near the window...
Belle quietly watched the scene.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She didn't walk over immediately.
Instead...
She waited until the crowd around Kai slowly dispersed.
Only then did she stand.
She walked toward his desk.
"Congratulations."
Kai looked up.
"...Thanks."
"You watched the match?"
Belle nodded.
"I didn't miss it."
For a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Belle smiled softly.
"You played well."
Kai smiled back.
"Thank you."
Something about that smile...
Felt strangely familiar again.
Before he could say anything else...
The morning bell rang.
RIIIIING!
Belle returned to her seat.
Kai watched her for a second.
"...Why do I always feel like I've met her before?"
Their homeroom teacher entered the classroom carrying a stack of papers.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, Ma'am!"
She smiled before looking toward Kai, Miguel, Rafael, and the other football players.
"Congratulations to our football team."
The entire class applauded once more.
"You've made San Isidro High School proud."
Miguel scratched his head awkwardly.
"Thank you, Ma'am."
The teacher continued.
"But don't let your success affect your studies."
"Midterm exams are only a few weeks away."
Several students groaned.
Even Rafael lowered his head dramatically.
"We just won..."
"Can't we celebrate a little longer?"
The classroom erupted in laughter.
The teacher smiled.
"You can."
"After you finish your assignments."
Even Kai couldn't help laughing.
For the first time in days...
There was no pressure.
No crowd.
No scoreboard.
Just another ordinary morning at school.
And somehow...
It felt nice.
The morning classes passed more quickly than usual.
Even during lessons...
The football team's victory remained the hottest topic in school.
Whenever the teacher turned toward the blackboard...
Someone would quietly whisper.
"That goal was amazing."
"I still can't believe we beat Holy Cross."
Kai simply smiled and focused on taking notes.
He knew one thing.
Yesterday's victory was already part of the past.
If they wanted to become champions...
They had to keep improving.
Finally...
The lunch bell rang.
RIIIIING!
Students poured into the corridors.
Kai, Miguel, Rafael, and a few teammates headed toward the school cafeteria.
The moment they stepped inside...
Several younger students waved excitedly.
"Captain Miguel!"
"Good luck in the next round!"
Miguel smiled and waved back.
"Thanks."
Rafael leaned toward Kai.
"I told you."
"We're celebrities now."
Kai shook his head with a helpless smile.
"I still don't like everyone staring."
Miguel laughed.
"You'll get used to it."
The four found an empty table near the window.
Lunch had barely begun when Assistant Coach Leo walked over carrying a folder.
He smiled at the team.
"Coach Ramirez wants everyone at the football field after classes."
Miguel nodded.
"Regular training?"
Coach Leo chuckled.
"Not today."
"We'll review the Holy Cross match."
"And..."
He tapped the folder.
"...we'll begin preparing for the final stage of the tournament."
The players exchanged excited looks.
Every lesson mattered now.
After Coach Leo left...
Rafael stretched lazily.
"So..."
"No running today?"
Miguel smirked.
"Don't celebrate yet."
"I'm sure Coach will make us run somehow."
Kai laughed.
"Probably."
Not far from their table...
Belle sat quietly with two classmates.
One of them noticed where Belle was looking.
"You've been watching the football team all lunch."
Belle looked away.
"I was just thinking."
Her friend smiled knowingly.
"Thinking about Kai?"
Belle sighed softly.
"We're classmates."
"That's all."
Her friend raised an eyebrow but decided not to tease her further.
Classes finally ended that afternoon.
Kai packed his books before slinging his bag over one shoulder.
As he stepped into the hallway...
He heard someone call his name.
"Kai."
He turned around.
It was Belle.
She walked over calmly, holding a notebook against her chest.
"Good luck at training."
Kai smiled.
"Thanks."
"You heading home?"
Belle nodded.
"My Father is waiting."
There was another brief silence.
Then Belle smiled politely.
"See you tomorrow."
"See you."
She walked toward the school gate.
Kai watched her leave for a moment.
Once again...
That strange feeling returned.
He couldn't explain it.
Every time he talked to Belle...
It felt strangely comfortable.
As though...
They had spoken like that many times before.
But no matter how hard he tried...
He couldn't remember when.
Outside the school gate...
A black SUV waited by the roadside.
Antonio Navarro stood beside it.
He smiled as Belle approached.
"How was school?"
"It was good."
Antonio opened the passenger door for her.
"And Kai?"
Belle looked out toward the school building.
"He's the same."
"He still doesn't remember."
Antonio nodded gently.
"Don't rush it."
"If those memories are meant to return..."
"They will."
Belle gave a small nod before getting into the vehicle.
The SUV slowly drove away.
Meanwhile...
Kai, Miguel, and Rafael walked toward the football field.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the grass.
Coach Ramirez was already waiting beside the tactical board.
He looked at the arriving players before smiling.
"Good."
"Everyone's here."
He picked up a football.
"Today..."
"We don't train our legs."
"We train our minds."
The players immediately became serious.
The road to the championship had entered its most important stage.
Their preparation...
Was only just beginning.
End of Chapter 25